After a nationwide search for a new home, ISVE has selected Independent Sector to house the Initiative and shape the future of how nonprofits and funders leverage the power of volunteers.
(WASHINGTON, October 21, 2024): A new era for volunteerism begins as the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement (ISVE) joins forces with Independent Sector (IS). ISVE was established in 2021 through a partnership of visionary funders and national nonprofits, as a time-limited effort. A six-month national search led ISVE to select Independent Sector as the Initiative’s new, permanent home. This marks a pivotal moment in the effort to elevate volunteerism as a driving force for social impact across the nation.
Independent Sector unites nonprofits and philanthropy to strengthen the charitable sector. This fall, ISVE will transfer its pioneering research, tools, and relationships to IS. Independent Sector will integrate the Initiative into its programming and carry forward its work to transform the future of volunteerism.
“We are thrilled to have ISVE join Independent Sector in this next chapter,” said Lois Savage, President of the Lodestar Foundation, and Jane Leighty Justis, President Emerita of The Leighty Foundation, both of which will continue to fund this work. “This transition will strengthen support for strategic volunteerism, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of nonprofit success.”
Strategic volunteer engagement — the practice of building structures and capacity to engage volunteers in meaningful ways — can help nonprofits become more adaptable, sustainable, and capable of working at scale. However, this work takes time, expertise, planning, and resources. IS will continue ISVE’s efforts to:
- Deliver insights and practical tools that support nonprofits to better harness the power of volunteers, and funders to further invest in strategic volunteer engagement.
- Convene leaders in the social sector to explore how to overcome barriers and embrace opportunities to adopt strategic volunteer engagement practices.
- Promote strategic volunteer engagement to funders and nonprofits alike as an effective approach to advance their mutual goals, and advocate for greater support.
“We are honored to have been selected to carry forward the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement’s work, which is critical for our sector,” said Dr. Akilah Watkins, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “We have great respect for individuals who are willing to contribute their time, energy, and talent to great causes. Our work is to equip nonprofits and funders with the best information and tools to strengthen these volunteer relationships that help them succeed in their missions.”
As ISVE transitions its portfolio to Independent Sector, the Initiative reflects on 3 years of impact:
2021: With the leadership of ISVE Funding Partners, ISVE launched in 2021. These partners included: The Leighty Foundation, the Lodestar Foundation, VolunteerMatch, UJA-Federation of New York, and the National Alliance for Volunteer Engagement. The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa provided ongoing organizational support, and Independent Sector lent its technical assistance.
2022: The Initiative commissioned several groundbreaking national research projects, establishing a baseline understanding of the factors influencing funders’ support — or lack thereof — of strategic volunteer engagement, as well as the reasons nonprofit organizations choose to embrace or overlook this engagement to advance their missions.
2023: ISVE started a year-long national effort to disseminate these research findings, and to provide practical tools and resources to inspire and engage nonprofits and funders to further invest time and resources in strategic volunteer engagement. Through this effort, several thousand people registered for a series of ISVE webinars and conference presentations, and the research appeared in over 280 media outlets. Additionally, the Initiative’s “conversation starter” guide — to encourage productive discussions among funders and their grant partners — was shared with over 5,600 nonprofits and funders, and with over 200 leaders at philanthropic support organizations.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who have supported ISVE’s journey so far, and we look forward to advancing this work with the Independent Sector community. Join us as we continue to elevate the power of volunteerism,” said Jeff Glebocki and Betsy McFarland, co-directors of ISVE.
Learn more about ISVE’s vision and how you can get involved with Independent Sector’s work by visiting independen1stg.wpengine.com or contacting info@independen1stg.wpengine.com.
Join the Advisory Committee. Independent Sector is forming an Advisory Committee to provide guidance and insights into the future of the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement (ISVE). IS is calling on researchers, practitioners, and nonprofit and philanthropy association representatives to join this effort. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Rashid Mosley, Vice President of Programs (rashidm@independen1stg.wpengine.com) by November 8, 2024.
Read more about Strategic Volunteer Engagement do’s and don’ts.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers at nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs to ensure all people in the United States thrive. Learn more at independen1stg.wpengine.com.
Media Contact: Nina Ford, media@independen1stg.wpengine.com, 202-467-6113
